A tragic bus accident on the BR-116 highway near Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, claimed the lives of 41 individuals, marking one of the deadliest incidents on Brazil's federal highways in years. This devastating accident occurred early on September 21, around 3:30 AM, and involved three vehicles: a bus, a truck carrying granite blocks, and a passenger car.
According to initial investigations by the Federal Highway Police, the driver of the truck is suspected of having neglected safety regulations, as he had been caught driving under the influence previously. The granite block from the truck appears to have dislodged and struck the bus, which was heading in the opposite direction. This impact led to the bus catching fire, resulting in the tragic loss of 39 passengers, many of whom suffered serious burns.
Among the deceased was the bus driver, 38-year-old Weberton da Silva Ribeiro. Ribeiro’s family revealed he was not originally scheduled to work on the day of the tragedy but was covering for a colleague who had to take care of personal matters. With years of experience as both a bus and former truck driver, Weberton had only recently joined the transport company, Emtram, yet his departure from the road came too soon.
Rescue operations were hampered by the severity of the fire, which consumed much of the bus, complicing the identification of victims. The police confirmed 12 of the 41 deceased, but many others would require DNA tests for identification due to extreme carbonization.
Among the victims were also social media influencers Karine Boldrini and Milena Britto, aged 37 and 23, respectively. The couple had amassed over 38,000 followers on platforms like TikTok, where they shared snippets of their personal lives and travels. Tragically, their 8-year-old son Pedro survived the accident. Followers lamented their loss, describing Karine as sincere and courageous and Milena as affectionate and caring.
Further complicifying the investigation was the fact the truck carrying the granite was reportedly exceeding its weight limit. According to the police, the load was found far beyond legal specifications, which could point to not only negligence on the part of the truck driver but also systemic issues related to cargo management safety on Brazilian roads.
Survivors of the accident, like Renério Freire who was traveling with his wife and friend, reported they could see the bus advance against traffic due to something happening with its rear wheels. Renério recollected, “The truck came and hit head-on. Fortunately, we were lucky, but many were not.” His account reinforces growing concerns over vehicle maintenance and operator reliability.
Emtram, the bus company, stated the bus was well maintained with new tires and had undergone regular inspections before the disaster. Despite this, the police are closely examining the events leading up to the accident, including the driver of the truck, who fled the site and is now considered to be evading apprehension.
This accident has reignited discussions about road safety and maintenance standards throughout Brazil, particularly as federal police noted this is considered the most severe traffic incident on federal highways since 2007. The local authorities are reviewing safety protocols and the possible reinstallation of traffic cameras on highways to monitor traffic patterns and incidents, as the absence of functioning surveillance made piecing together the accident’s timeline more challenging.
Community members have rallied around the families of the victims, with local fundraising initiatives and memorials being planned to honor those whose lives were prematurely ended. The emotional scars this event has left on the community are deep, as the families grieve their immense losses.
While investigations continue and support pours in for the affected families, the tragedy serves as another reminder of the importance of attentive regulation and safety adherence on the roads. No family should endure such heartbreak, and many are left wondering who will be held responsible for this avoidable calamity.
